Requesting growth information for my new 8 Orchids

[Ethan Zier]

I am looking to grow some of these orchids in my vivarium and the other orchids in different parts of my house. My vivarium has airflow and gets misted 3 times a day. The average temp is 72F and the humidity ranges from 70 to 99.
The most important information to me is how big / tall to these grow.

1. Cym. Dolly - Featherhill 4n X Mary Moroney NH 4n

2. Odontocidium Everglades Elegance - Nancy Lee HCC
AOS

3. Oncidium Chian -Tzy Chiou-Ping - TOW.. AKA
Oncidium Gold Dust

4. Oncidium Mendenhall - Hildos - FCC AOS

5. Rlc. Amazing Thailand Rainbow - Chomthong Delight

6. Rlc. Chomthong Delight - Smile Lip

7. V. Pompimol x Kultana Ruby - Ascda. Lenakamolphun

8. Zygonisia Cynosure - Blue Birds - AM AOS

[Roberta]

First, welcome -

Where are you located? Cym Dolly 'Feathehill' x Cym Mary Moroney will get big - I'm familiar with Cym Dolly - have seen specimen-sized plants of it. I haven't seen Mary Moroney but looking at its parentage, it's pretty much a standard Cym as well. The sort of thing that I'd grow in my southern California back yard (except that I'm trying to avoid big standard Cyms... don't have room) It does need the temperature variation and high light that it can get outdoors -hence the question as to where you live, one can make adaptations to give the conditions necessary, it just may not be as easy as it is in my location. (It needs a cool-down in the fall to bloom)

Onc. Mendenhall (Psychopsis Mendenhall)- a warm grower, will be fine in the house. Expect spikes around 2-3 feet or maybe a little more. Great hybrid. Blooms repeatedly on spikes, sometimes for several years - so don't cut spikes unless they are dry, brown, and crunchy all the way down. (If part of the spike is dead it can branch and continue blooming)

Zygonesia Cynosure - warm-growing, stays relatively compact (maybe 6-8 inches)

Onc. Gold Dust - compact, floriferous. Grows under a range of temperatures, not fussy.

I'd expect that Vanda to get pretty big,though the Ascocenda parent may keep the size down. But definitely not a mini.

These are the ones I am directly familiar with . Others may have experience with some of the other plants.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

How big is your terrarium? Most of those plants are either pretty big for any terrarium, or they prefer warmer temperatures. Cooler temperatures plus high humidity are a recipe for fungal infection. The Gold Dust might be OK in there if the terrarium is tall enough.

[Roberta]

Ethan -
Another question... how did you decide to get these particular plants? (I am guessing that they're all seedlings, little right now) They grow under very different conditions (For instance, the Cymbidium needs cool temperatures in the fall, the Vanda needs to grow on the warm side) You can do some research on the conditions that each needs (and there are plenty of experienced growers here who can help you.) You are gong to have some challenges, but that's how you learn. Now, if you have a specific environment where you'd like to grow orchids, what you need to do is to identify orchids that grow naturally under those conditions. In the long run, you will be far more successful if you try to get plants that grow under the conditions that you can easily provide, rather than starting with plants that attract you and then trying to figure out how you're going to satisfy their needs. So, welcome to a big adventure! It's a lifetime of learning.

[Ethan Zier]

Hello everyone, thank you so much for the wonderful responses. I really appreciate it. I live in Seattle so any orchids would have to be grown indoors or in vivariums. I have a 36in tall vivarium but my main vivarium is 48 inches tall, so I think clearance should be okay. I bought these online because I was looking for mini orchids and the seller said they would include up to 3 mini's.. did not occurre?
I have many bromilades in my vivarium so these orchids were meant to accent them. This vivarium is from Insitu and I'm still adjusting my fans and ventilation.
I would like to have some of these orchids above my kitchen sink(medium sun) living room fire place mantel (not used and low to med indirect light so I'm looking about adding supplemental light). I'm also looking at a living wall that is in my split entry so it's like 20ft tall.

[Roberta]

Do take a look through the Terrarium Growing forum - lots of ideas for plants.

As for the "giants" ... the Cym can be moved outdoors for the summer...(Adjust it slowly to the sun... start it in a shady spot and then move it to more sun over 2 weeks or so) Bring it in when nights get down to 40 deg F. or so. (These can take down to freezing and below, but probably best not to push it, especially since the plant is likely still small) When the Vanda outgrows your terrarium, it may move to your shower... do look through the Vanda Alliance - Other forum for some ideas that other people have come up with for growing Vandas in their homes in decidedly "not tropical" regions. For "Living Wall" ideas, take a look at Project Phoenix under the Greenhouse Gardening forum - and read all the way back... Akhenaten has evolved an amazing tropical paradise in Siberia... he has been documenting this over quite a few years - many, many ideas for you to think about. (At the beginning of the thread are links to earlier efforts - so you can trace the progression of the project and learn even more about what worked and what didn't)